Collapsible portable utility tray stand

ABSTRACT

A folding table consisting of a top board and a bottom shelf, with respective supporting leg assemblies hinged to opposite edges of the top board. One leg assembly has a cross bar to which one transverse edge of the bottom shelf is hinged, and the shelf has a resilient channel element on its other transverse edge lockingly receiving a cross bar on the other leg assembly. The channel element can be disengaged from its locking position and the shelf can be swung into an inverted overlying position covering the top board, with the leg assemblies swung to overlapping positions, closely received between the top board and the shelf. The top board is provided with various accessories foldable to positions close to the top board and covered by the shelf when the table is in its folded condition.

United States Patent Barrevecchia [151 3,703,872 1 51 Nov. 28, 1972 [72]Inventor: Domenick P. Barrevecchia, 12 Pernando Drive, Westerly, R1.02891 [22] Filed: Feb. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 119,212

[52] US. Cl. ..108/1l1, 108/131, 248/188.6

[51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 3/08 [58] Field of Search....l08/l l l, 36, 35, 34,131, 132, 108/129, 99, 115, 101, 157; 248/1886, 165

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,013,670 12/1961 Mayer..10s/111 2,531,259 11/1950 Cudini ..248/188.6 3,215,096 11/1965 H0112..10s/111 3,291,501 7 12/1966 Stelniceanu ..l08/1l1 3,099,356 7/1963Burnett ..l08/l 11 1,892,234 12/ 1932 DeFoe ..248/2l4 X 2,813,57611/1957 Mayer ..248/165 Randolph nos/131 McClellan ..248/l65 x PrimaryExaminer-Francis K. Zugel AttomeyBerma.n, Davidson and Herman [57]ABSTRACT A folding table consisting of a top board and a bottom shelf,with respective supporting leg assemblies hinged to opposite edges ofthe top board. One leg assembly has a cross bar to which onetransverse'edge of the bottom shelf is hinged, and the shelf has aresilient channel element on its other transverse edge lockinglyreceiving a cross bar on the other leg assembly. The channel element canbe disengaged from its locking position and the shelf can be swung intoan inverted overlying position covering the top board, with the legassemblies swung to overlapping positions, closely received between thetop board and the shelf. The top board is provided with variousaccessories foldable to positions close to the top board and covered bythe shelf when the table is in its folded condition.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEnnuv 28 I972 3. 703, 8 72 sum 3 OF 3H f g "mu COLLAPSIBLE PORTABLE UTILITY TRAY STAND This invention relatesto folding tables or tray assemblies, and more particularly to afoldable table assembly particularly useful for picnics or other outdooractivities.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfolding table or tray stand which is relatively simple in construction,which is easy to set up for use, and which is foldable to a very compactunit so that it can be easily transported or stored.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved foldabletable or tray stand which is inexpensive to manufacture, which isdurable in construction, and which is especially useful for outdooractivities, such as for picnics, camping, or general recreationalactivities.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedfolding table or tray stand which can be conveniently carried to achosen location and set up for use in a very short time and with aminimum amount of effort and which includes a number of useful accessoryitems of particular value for outdoor activities, such as an arrangementfor holding beverage containers, cigarettes, magazines, newspapers, orother items.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedfoldable portable tray stand or table for recreational use or for anyother purpose, the device being easily transportable from one locationto another, being capable of being set up without requiring the use ofany tools, and being adapted to be set up or folded by relatively simplemanipulations.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved foldable table or tray standconstructed in accordance with the present invention, shown set up foruse.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on theline 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the supporting leg assembliesemployed in the foldable table or tray stand shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the ash tray employed onthe top board of the tray stand of FIG. I and illustrating the manner ofdetachably securing the ash tray to said top board.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on theline 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on theline 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the tray stand or table of FIG. 1in its fully folded condition.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on theline 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an improved foldingtable or tray stand constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. The folding stand or table 11 comprises a generallyrectangular top board 12 which may be of any suitable size and which maybe, for example, substantially square as illustrated. Obviously, theshape and dimensions of the board may be selected in accordance with therequirements of use of the device.

Top board 12 is integrally formed at opposite transverse edges thereofwith generally cylindrical hinge sleeve elements 13 and 14 and isprovided at its remaining edge portions with upstanding flanges l5 and16. The device is also provided with a bottom shelf 17 which isgenerally similar in shape to the top board 12 but is slightly narrowerin transverse width and which is provided with upstanding front and rearmarginal flanges 18 and 19. The upstanding flanges l8 and 19 aresubstantially greater in height than the upstanding flanges 15 and 16 oftop board 12, the flanges l8 and 19 being inwardly ofiset relative tothe top board flanges 15 and 16 for a purpose presently to be described.

The shelf member 17 is integrally formed at one transverse edge thereofwith a generally cylindrical hinge sleeve 20 which rotatably receivesthe cross bar element 21 of a first supporting leg assembly 22, shown inFIG. 3. The leg assembly 22 is provided with upwardly convergent supportrod elements 23, 23 and the rod elements 23 merge with the cross barelement 21 by the provision of end loops 24, 24 which integrally connectthe ends of crossbar element 21 with the side rod elements 23, 23. Thetop-ends of the rod elements 23, 23 are provided with outwardly offsetaligned hinge pin elements 25, 25 which are connected integrally withthe top ends of the rod elements 23,23 by outwardly directed armportions 26,26, the hinge pin elements 25,25 being upwardly offsetrelative to the plane defined by the arm elements 26,26, as shown inFIG. 3. The hinge pin elements 25,25 rotatably engage in the oppositeend portions of the hinge sleeve element 13 of top board 12. As shown inFIG. 1, clockwise rotation of the bottom shelf 17 relative to the baseloops 24,24 is limited by the provision of depending stop flangeelements 31,31 integrally provided on the transverse edge of shelf 17adjacent the opposite ends of the hinge sleeve 20. Y

An additional supporting leg assembly 22' identical in shape to thesupporting leg assembly 22 is provided at the opposite side of thedevice, the assembly 22' being provided with the aligned pivot pinportions 25 25- which rotatably engage in the opposite ends of the hingesleeve element 14. The member 22 is provided with a cross bar element21' which is lockingly received in a resilient hook-shaped channel 32integrally formed on the transverse edge portion of shelf 17 oppositehinge sleeve 20. Shelf 17 is formed with upstanding locking lugs 33,33engageable in rectangular notches 34,34 defined adjacent the ends of thechannel 32 and limiting rightward movement of the shelf 17, as viewed inFIG. 1, as the hook-shaped channel 32 is forced downwardly over thecross bar element 21, whereby the channel 32 is caused to flex as it ispushed downwardly and to snap over the cross bar element 21' tolockingly engage therewith in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Lugs 33have end outwardly projecting protrusions or abutment elements 33' toprevent side shifting of members 22' The channel 32 is provided at itsmidportion with a downwardly and outwardly inclined gripping lug 35engaged from the cross bar element 21 by grasping the lug 35 and at thesame time exerting downward thumb pressure on the cross bar element 21through the aperture 36. With sufficient thumb pressure applied to thecross bar element 21', the channel 32 can be flexed outwardly to allowit to be disengaged from the cross bar element.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the table is set up for use, the oppositetransverse marginal portions of top board 12 are supported on thehorizontal shoulder elements 26 and 26' of the respective supporting legassemblies 22 and 22. The device for instance supported on the ground orany other subjacent supporting surface by its bottom ground-engagingloop elements 24 and 24, as shown in FIG. 2.

Top board 12 is provided with a number of accessory elements including afoldable cigarette package holder, designated generally at 40, an ashtray, designated generally at 41, and a foldable beverage containersupport, designated generally at 42.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the foldable cigarette package container 40comprises a generally rectangular receptacle 43 having end pivot studs44, 44 located adjacent the right hand bottom comers thereof, as viewedin FIGS. 7 and 8, and being pivotally engaged in upstanding parallellugs 45, 45 formed integrally on the board 12. The receptacle 43 has anopen end which faces upwardly, as shown at 47, when the receptacle is inits upright position, illustrated in full line view in FIG. 8. Thereceptacle may be folded in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 8,to a horizontal position adjacent board 12, as shown in dotted line viewin FIG. 8. The receptacle 43 is provided at its left side, as viewed inFIG. 8, with an integral resilient leaf 46 extending substantiallyparallel to the adjacent side of the receptacle and serving as aretainer for a matchbook, or the like. Thus, the matchbook may beinserted between the resilient leaf 46 and the adjacent side of thereceptacle 43 and may be thus resiliently clamped therebetween. When thetable 11 is to be folded up for transportation or storage, thereceptacle 43 is rotated to its dotted view position, shown in FIG. 8,so that it is disposed adjacent the board 12.

The ash tray 41 comprises a rectangular box 50 having opposite end walls51, 51 formed with upstanding serrations 52 therebetween adapted toreceive smoldering cigarettes. The spacing between the intermediatepairs of serrations 52 is preferably made somewhat. larger than theother spacings to define wider V grooves 54 of sufficient size toreceive smoldering cigars. The box-like receptacle is adapted to beclampingly received between a pair of upstanding resilient lugs 56, 56integrally formed on board 12, the lugs having opposing convex inwardlyprojecting detent portions 58, 58 which are lockingly engageable innotches 59, 59 formed in respective front and rear walls 60 and 61 ofthe box-like member 50. Thus, the box-like member 50 is normally grippedbetween the lugs 56, 56, with the detent elements 58, 58 engaging in thenotches 59, 59. The box-like member 50 may be readily moved, however, bygrasping the end walls 51, 51 and manually lifting the box-like memberupwardly. Thus, the box-like member 50 may be disengaged from Thecigarette package receiving and supporting assembly 40 and the ash tray41 may be located at diagonally opposite corner portions of the-topboard 12. The beverage container receiving and supporting assembly 42may be located substantially centrally on the top board 12, asillustrated in FIG. 1. The assembly 42 comprises a main supporting rodpivoted in a generally U-shaped upstanding lug 61 integrally formed ontop board 12, the rod 60 having an integral bottom eye 62 rotatablyengaged on a transverse pivot pin 63 secured between the side walls ofthe upstanding U- shaped lug 61. The transverse end wall 64 of saidupstanding lug serves as a stop element to limit counterclockwiserotation of rod 60 and to thereby support the rod in its upstandingvertical position, as viewed in FIG. 6. The top portions of the sidewalls of the U-shaped member 61 are provided with inwardly projectingdetent elements 65 located near the top ends of the side walls, thetransverse wall 64 being notched at 66, whereby the top portions of theside walls of the U- shaped member are somewhat resilient. The detentelements 65 are therefore located so as to cooperate with the transversewall 64 to retain the rod 60 in its upright vertical position, shown inFIG. 6, but the upper portions of the side walls of the U-shaped member61 are sufficiently resilient to allow the rod 60 to be rotated in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 6, to a position substantiallyparallel to the table board 12, as shown in FIG. 10. The rod 60 isformed at its top end' with a horizontally elongated grasping ring 67for manipulating the rod 60. t

The upstanding U-shaped member 61 has parallel right end wall portions69, 69 which are offset inwardly relative to the main side wall portionsof member 61 and which are reduced substantially in height relativethereto, as shown in FIG. 6. Designated at 70, 70 are respectivegenerally circular beverage container-supporting rings which haveparallel end arms 71, 71. The arms 71, 71 extend substantiallytangentially relative to the circular ring portions of the members 70,70 and are pivotally connected at 73, 74, respectively, to theintermediate portion of rod 60 and a link arm 75. The

lower portion of arm 75 is received between the reduced wall elements69, 69 and is pivotally connected therebetween at 76. Thus, as shown inFIG. 6, the members 70, 70 extend on opposite sides of the verticalplane defined by rod 60 and link bar 75 and form part of a parallelogramlinkage, since rod 60 extends parallel to link arm 75 and the tangentialarm elements 71, 71 extend parallel to table board 12. Thus, in theupstanding vertical position of rod 60, the ring members 70, 70 aresubstantially horizontal and are elevated, as shown in FIG. 6. Byrotating the rod 60 in a clockwise direction from the position thereofshown in full line view in FIG. 2 to the substantially horizontal bere-engaged between said lugs for further use.

position thereof, the ring elements 70, 70 may be lowered to positionsbelow the level of the top edges of the higher portions of the sidewalls of the upstanding lug member 61, as shown in FIG. 10.

The bottom shelf member 17 is provided with an upstanding integralheaded lug element which is lockingly engageable between the resilienttop portions of the side walls of the generally U-shaped lug member 61,the lug 80 having an enlarged head portion 82 which is lockinglyreceivable below the detent lug elements 65, 65. Thus, the shelf member17 may be releasably locked in the position thereof shown in FIG. by theinterlocking engagement of the headed lug 80 with the detent lugs 65,65.

To fold up the table for transportation or storage, the accessoryelements carried on the top board 12 are first folded to theirinoperative positions, namely, the cigarette package-receiving member 43is folded to the dotted view position thereof shown in FIG. 8 and thebeverage container-supporting assembly 42 is folded to its loweredposition by rotating the rod member 60 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2,to bring said rod member substantially to the position thereof shown inFIG. 10. The channel member 32 is then disengaged from the cross rodelement 21' in the manner above described and the supporting assembly22' is then swung counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, to a positionoverlying and substantially parallel to the table top board 12. Thesupporting assembly 22 is then swung clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, toa position overlying the top board 12 and the bottom shelf member 17 isrotated counterclockwise to the position thereof shown in FIG. 10,wherein it is substantially parallel to and overlies the other elementsof the assembly. In this position, the detent lug 80 can be forced intolocking engagement with the somewhat resilient top portions of the sidewalls of the generally U-shaped upstanding lugs 61, as above described,thus locking the assembly in its folded position, with the partsdisposed substantially in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

To set up the device for use, the above-described procedure is reversed.

It will be seen from FIG. 9 that in the folded position of the device,the front and rear upstanding flanges 18 and 19 of the shelf member 17are substantially in abutment with the top board 12 and are receivedinwardly of the upstanding flanges l5 and 16 of said top board. It willbe further seen that the shelf member 17 is inverted as compared withits normal relationship relative to top board 12. It will be noted thatthe gripping ring member 67 projects from one edge of the folded tableassembly 11, as shown in FIG. 9, so that this member 67 may be employedas a carrying handle for the folded assembly. Similarly, when the deviceis in its operating position, namely, the position shown in FIG. 1, thegripping ele ment 67 may likewise be employed for bodily lifting theentire assembly and moving it to a desired location.

The top board 12 and the shelf member 17, as well as the other parts ofthe assembly, may be made of any suitable material, such as metal,molded plastic, or the like. Thus, in a typical embodiment illustratedin the drawings, the top board 12 and the shelf member 17 are shown asbeing made of suitable plastic material. Also, in the typical embodimentillustrated the cigarette package holder 40 and the ash tray 41 arelikewise shown as being made of plastic material. The other parts areshown as being made of metal. However, the choice of materials isarbitrary and can be made in accordance with the judgment of thefabricator of the assembly.

The folding table and tray assembly above described is of great value asan accessory for beach goers since it can be advantageously employed forpersons enjoying relaxation at the beach.

It is to be noted that areas adjacent the free corners of the top board12 are available for' use in supporting various objects such as snacks,sandwiches, or the like, and that these free areas can be employed forany other desired use.

While a specific embodiment of an improved foldable table or standassembly has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will beunderstood that various modifications within the spirit of the inventionmay occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that nolimitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable table assembly comprising a top board member havingparallel opposite edge portions, a first support hinged to one of saidedge portions and having a lower first cross rod element parallel tosaid one end edge portion, a second support hinged to the other end edgeportion and having a lower second cross rod element parallel to saidother end edge portion, said sup ports being swingable to overlappingpositions overlying said top board member, a shelf member hinged at oneedge thereof to said first cross rod element, means on the shelf memberadjacent the opposite end edge thereof lockingly engageable with saidsecond cross rod element, said shelf member being swingable to aninverted position substantially parallel to said top board member whensaid second support is in a position overlying said top board member,upstanding lug means on the top board member, and a projection on saidshelf member shaped to lockingly interengage with a portion of said lugmeans when the shelf member is in said inverted position.

2. The foldable table assembly of claim 1 and a handle rod elementhingedly connected to said lug means.

3. The foldable table assembly of claim 1, and wherein said portion ofthe lug means is shaped to resiliently and lockingly receive saidprojection.

4. The foldable table assembly of claim 1, and wherein said supports areprovided with inwardly extending shoulder elements adjacent their hingedconnections, said shoulder elements being located so as to supportinglyunderlie said top board member when the supports are in dependingoperative position.

5. The foldable table assembly of claim 4, and wherein the meanslockingly engageable with said second cross rod element comprisesresilient channel means on said opposite end edge of the shelf memberadapted to grippingly receive said second cross rod element.

6. The foldable table assembly of claim 5, and upstanding stop flangemeans on said opposite end edge of the shelf member adjacent saidresilient channel means'located to abut said second cross rod elementloo

1. A foldable table assembly comprising a top board member havingparallel opposite edge portions, a first support hinged to one of saidedge portions and having a lower first cross rod element parallel tosaid one end edge portion, a second support hinged to the other end edgeportion and having a lower second cross rod element parallel to saidother end edge portion, said supports being swingable to overlappingpositions overlying said top board member, a shelf member hinged at oneedge thereof to said first cross rod element, means on the shelf memberadjacent the opposite end edge thereof lockingly engageable with saidsecond cross rod element, said shelf member being swingable to aninverted position substantially parallel to said top board member whensaid second support is in a positIon overlying said top board member,upstanding lug means on the top board member, and a projection on saidshelf member shaped to lockingly interengage with a portion of said lugmeans when the shelf member is in said inverted position.
 2. Thefoldable table assembly of claim 1 and a handle rod element hingedlyconnected to said lug means.
 3. The foldable table assembly of claim 1,and wherein said portion of the lug means is shaped to resiliently andlockingly receive said projection.
 4. The foldable table assembly ofclaim 1, and wherein said supports are provided with inwardly extendingshoulder elements adjacent their hinged connections, said shoulderelements being located so as to supportingly underlie said top boardmember when the supports are in depending operative position.
 5. Thefoldable table assembly of claim 4, and wherein the means lockinglyengageable with said second cross rod element comprises resilientchannel means on said opposite end edge of the shelf member adapted togrippingly receive said second cross rod element.
 6. The foldable tableassembly of claim 5, and upstanding stop flange means on said oppositeend edge of the shelf member adjacent said resilient channel meanslocated to abut said second cross rod element and to grip said cross rodelement in cooperation with said resilient channel means.
 7. Thefoldable table assembly of claim 2, and a beverage container-supportingmeans arranged parallel to said top board member, and meansinterconnecting said beverage container-supporting means, handle rodelement and top board member and defining a parallelogram linkage,whereby said beverage container supporting means may be raised andlowered relative to said top board member.
 8. The foldable tableassembly of claim 1, and a cigarette package supporting receptaclehingedly connected to said top board member and being swingable from alowered position substantially parallel to said top board member to anupright position relative to said top board member.